Marriage And Family Therapy

The mediator of these marriage and family therapy sessions is often a therapist (MFT), a mental health practitioner with additional training regarding family systems. That allows him to treat emotional and behavioral problems within a family and offer a set of solutions suitable for them. Their approach is holistic, the focus being the long-term balance and content of the family.

Many studies are still in progress regarding family and marriage therapy as part of the recovery process, but the results are promising. One research published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy showed that no matter the family type, marriage and family therapy can increase the adherence to treatment and significantly reduce the chances of a relapse.

Also, the results demonstrate that family therapy can also treat behavior problems easier and correct the triggers of addiction. As a result, the healing process is shorter and lasts for longer than if the patient would not have opted for family therapy. However, no study can say exactly for how long or often one should go to therapy to achieve the best results.

The frequency and duration of the sessions depend on the patient and their situation, as the primary task of family therapy is to solve problems and connect people.

At the beginning of any family therapy treatment, the therapist will first want to observe the interactions between members and see how they relate to the problem. At the end of these initial sessions, he will be able to identify how the drug addiction affected the mental health of the family and their relationship.

Then, the therapist will consider the personality of each sibling to conceive a suitable therapy plan and improve the way members relate and communicate with each other.

After the counselor explains the basic rules, objectives, and principles of the therapy, the following sessions will focus on finding ways of improving communication, finding power structures and discussing the consequence of the substance abuse.

Towards the end, the frequency of the therapy sessions will decrease, and the specialist will present his review of the family problems and the progress made.

At the end of therapy, the family should have healthy coping mechanisms and a better understanding of each other.

Family and marital therapy alone is usually not enough to overcome an addiction. Regardless, this is still an important tool in someone’s recovery process leading to substantial progress in long-term rehabilitation.

Despite the fact that drug abuse is difficult to treat, alternative therapies, such as outdoor treatment programs or psychological counseling improve the chances of success.

Supporting a loved one during their treatment is an essential part of recovery and learning how to overcome the consequences of addiction is an empowering factor.

It is possible that health insurance will cover marriage and family therapy. However, it mostly depends on the company and their policies.

Patients have to contact the company and specifically ask if their plan includes mental health insurance as well. It is also important to determine if the therapist works with your insurance company. Sometimes patients have to pay the bill at the beginning of the treatment and get reimbursement from the health insurance company afterward.